EMEC to support development of Chinese marine energy test site

The Stromness-based European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), has strengthened its ties with China having signed a memorandum of understanding with organisations based in Qingdao to support the development of a marine energy test site in the area.

EMEC and the University of Edinburgh, signed the memorandum alongside the Ocean University of China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, and Qingdao Songling Power Environmental Equipment Company at the UK-China Energy Dialogue — an annual forum for UK and Chinese government, business and academic leaders to meet and discuss the strategic challenges facing their respective energy sectors.

The memorandum states intent to share knowledge and carry out fundamental research to establish a wave energy test site in Qingdao.

Signing the agreement this week, EMEC’s commercial director, Oliver Wragg said: “Scotland and China have a common interest to support the global development of marine energy technologies.

“As the first test centre of its kind, EMEC has endured some steep learning curves during its own development, and we see no point in other countries having to reinvent the wheel.

“Having overseen more than 1,000 marine energy activities at our test sites in Orkney covering device deployments, grid connections, cable laying operations, data collection and various monitoring activities, we have many experiences to share with our Chinese counterparts that can make their journey a great deal smoother.

“And by working together, we can help open up markets across the world for wave and tidal energy technologies currently in development.”